Related Articles

Consuming lotus root may be beneficial for those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, potentially decreasing the size of enlarged livers and lowering the amount of fats stored in the liver, according to a study published in 2012 in "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry." The evidence is still preliminary. Although lotus is often considered a decorative plant, lotus root is used in Asian cooking. Lotus root looks a bit like a chain link fence when sliced due to the holes inside the root and tastes similar to coconut but is crunchy like a raw potato. It is high in some essential nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium.

Macronutrients

A 100-gram serving of lotus root, which is slightly less than one root, contains 74 calories, 3 grams of protein and 17 grams of carbohydrate, including 5 grams of fiber. This is about 5 percent of the daily value for protein, 6 percent of the daily value for carbohydrate and 25 percent of the daily value for fiber. Lotus root only contains trace amounts of fat.

Vitamins

Eating a serving of lotus root provides you with 44 milligrams of vitamin C, or 73 percent of the daily value; 0.3 milligrams of vitamin B-6 and 0.2 milligrams of riboflavin, or 13 percent of the daily value for each of these nutrients; and 0.2 milligrams of thiamine, or 11 percent of the daily value. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps rid your body of free radicals that might otherwise damage your cells. It is essential for healing wounds and making new cells. The B vitamins are necessary for turning the food you eat into energy and keeping your hair, skin, liver and eyes healthy.

Minerals

Each serving of lotus root contains 556 milligrams of potassium, or 16 percent of the daily value; 100 milligrams of phosphorus, or 10 percent of the daily value; 1.2 milligrams of iron and 23 milligrams of magnesium, or about 6 percent of the daily value for each of these nutrients. Potassium helps control your blood pressure and is essential for normal nerve and muscle function. Phosphorus is necessary for creating DNA, strong bones and teeth, and for repairing cells. Your body uses iron to form red blood cells and transport oxygen, and magnesium is important for maintaining blood sugar levels and normal muscle, nerve and immune function.

Use

Peel and cook lotus root before using it; otherwise it has a bitter taste. The longer you cook it the softer it will get, so if you want it to be crunchy for use in salads just boil or steam it for a few minutes. You can also use it in soups and stir-fries or deep-fry it to create chips.